The horses in Tears of the Kingdom are distinguished by their stats rather than their appearance. While two horses may look identical, one may possess better speed and stamina than the other. Most horses are average in height and come in a variety of colors, but there are two exceptional horses - the Giant Horse and the Giant White Stallion.
These giant horses are located somewhere in Hyrule and are much more challenging to tame than regular horses. They tower over Link in size, limiting customization options, but their immense strength and unique appearance make taming them a worthwhile endeavor.
Before taming the Giant Horse, Link must have at least two stamina wheels. These can be obtained by offering Blessings of Light to Goddess Statues. However, if players only have one stamina wheel, they can still attempt to tame the horse by consuming Energizing Elixirs. It is important to note that if Link runs out of stamina, he will be thrown off the Giant Horse and must restart the taming process.
There are two methods to obtain the Giant Horse. The first is to capture it in Tears of the Kingdom. The second is to transfer it from a saved Breath of the Wild file. To transfer it, speak with a stable master at any stable and register it in TotK. If you did not obtain the Giant Horse in your BotW file or did not play Breath of the Wild, you will need to tame it like any other horse.
The Giant Horse in Breath of the Wild bears a striking resemblance to Ganondorf's black stallion from Ocarina of Time, but they are unlikely to be the same. This massive creature can be found in the Taobab Grassland in Breath of the Wild, but in Tears of the Kingdom, it roams around Hateno Beach. The Giant Horse's enormous size makes it easy to spot from a distance, and it is often surrounded by other horses.
To reach the Giant Horse in Tears of the Kingdom, players can start from the Hateno Ancient Tech Lab. However, if the Shrine Sensor has not been received from Robbie, the lab may be locked. In this case, players can start from the Zanmik Shrine in Hateno Village instead.
From there, head towards Hateno Beach, located at coordinates 4129, -2453, 0003. The Giant Horse can be found on the island of land between Deepback Bay and Hateno Beach. Players should approach it slowly or attempt to land on it from above before rapidly pressing the L-button.
If players need to replenish their Stamina Wheels, they can simply take an Energizing Elixir.
Once the Giant Horse has been tamed, players will need to take it to a stable. However, the closest stable, Dueling Peaks Stable, is quite far from Hateno Beach and can be found at coordinates 1745, -1929, 00010. By following the paths on the map and avoiding any detours, players can safely transport the Giant Horse to the stable. Additionally, the Giant Horse's impressive Strength allows it to withstand weaker enemy attacks if Link is ambushed en route.
Players who have transferred Ganon's Horse from their Breath of the Wild file to Tears of the Kingdom will not find it at Hateno Bay. It's important to note that only one Giant Horse, namely Ganon's Horse, is allowed per file.
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In Tears of the Kingdom, there is another rare and remarkable creature – the giant white stallion. Taming this majestic animal is no easy feat, and players are advised to come equipped with at least two stamina wheels. However, the journey to the nearest stable from the Great White Stallion's location is considerably shorter than that of the Giant Horse found at Hateno Beach.
The giant white stallion is located near the Highland Stable, south of Hyrule. However, transferring it from a Breath of the Wild file is not possible since it's unique to Tears of the Kingdom. To find the stallion, head over the Horse God Bridge to 0738, -3729, 0080, which is where players could meet Malanya, the Horse God, in Breath of the Wild. In Tears of the Kingdom, Malanya has moved to Akkala, leaving the giant white stallion in its place.
Approaching the Great White Stallion slowly while crouching is recommended, but players can also attempt to scale the surrounding cliffs and land on it from above. Before jumping on its back, Link will need full stamina wheels, so sneaking up on it is the preferred method instead of dropping in.
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To make approaching the stallion easier, Link has the option of using Sneaky Elixirs or wearing specialized armor. The Sheikah Set and the Yiga Set are both viable options for increasing stealth and improving the chances of a successful approach.
Once tamed, players can ride the stallion back to the Highland Stable located at 0534, -3433, 0047. Unlike the lengthy and dangerous route required for the Giant Horse, the path to the Highland Stable is shorter and has fewer enemies to worry about.
When comparing the Giant Horse and the Great White Stallion, it's important to consider their respective strengths and weaknesses.
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The Giant Horse and the Great White Stallion are evenly matched when it comes to their stats and abilities. However, their appearances are what sets them apart from each other:
Rating
Strength
5/5
Speed
2/5
Stamina
N/A
Pull
N/A
Temperament
The giant horses in Tears of the Kingdom are known for their impressive HP, boasting a 5-star Strength rating. However, their 2-star Speed and lack of Stamina/stirrups make them slow and unable to gallop at a faster pace. Despite their appearance suggesting they could pull multiple carts, there are no harnesses in TotK that fit these massive creatures, rendering them unable to transport items or people. While their Temperament is labeled as Wild, they will not throw Link off their back unless their Stamina is depleted. Additionally, customization is not an option for these horses, and the stable head even warns that they may not appreciate having their mane touched. Players seeking a unique and personalized mount should look elsewhere than the giant horses.
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Strangely enough, the Giant Horse and the Great White Stallion in Tears of the Kingdom are not tied to any side quests. Although an NPC by Malanya's old home mentions the Great White Stallion, there are no rewards for showing it after it's been tamed. It seems that the only satisfaction for taming these majestic horses is the bragging rights that come with it. You can experience this thrilling adventure in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, available now for Nintendo Switch.